After the 2-2 blow suffered by Inter from a brave Fiorentina side last Saturday in the Serie A, Mourinho's men did not show any sign of crisis even though the Nerazzurri lost the top spot and certainty for winning the tittle.Wesley Sneijder, Diego Milito and Cambiasso were not present on the starting line-up for the Coppa Italia semifinal second leg. Surely due to their extremely delicate fixtures, playing Juventus on Friday and Barcelona in the 1st leg of the Champions league semifinal the coming Tuesday. Inter still active on all three fronts seem to have done their duty this time.
After their 1-0 victory at home in the first leg, Inter showed personality and experience which now seems to be a part of the Inter DNA unlike earlier times. On Tuesday the 13th, the Stadium Artemio Franchi of Fiorentina welcomed the second leg with great expectations and hopes to qualify for the Finals firstly to mark the first achievement under the Della Valle- Prandelli- Corvino influence and secondly to secure a qualification for the Uefa European cup next season.
Its not the first time Gabriel Milito gives the death blow to their rivals. On the 31st of March the Stadio Meazza in Milan seemed like an arena of gladiators. Just that these gladiators were dressed in stripes of blue and black with there mind set on just one thought- getting a good result before the away game in Moscow.
The match was a one way show. CSKA Moscow, gave a weak signal in the starting minutes which then was taken over by the dominating Inter attacks. Sneijder, the architect of his side guided the attacks with his long passes which cut open the CSKA's defense finding Milito and Eto with a certain ease. A great performance by the nerazzuri that ended in a unfortunate 1-0 win. Too bad, with all those chances created it could have ended up with a bigger goal margin. "We were lucky it finished this way. The team suffered a lot", were the words of coach Leonid Slutsky of CSKA Moscow.
The other big match saw a breath taking 2-2 draw between defending champions Barcelona playing away to a determined Arsenal. "I still can't believe we lost this match", Barca striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic said. Barca do have an advantage since they play on the 6th of april on their homeground, the one and only Nuo camp. The 2 away goals could be a very precious weapon for them. The gunners will be playing without their promising midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
Just a reminder of the games played on Tuesday the 30th:
Bayern-Munich- ManU 2-1 (Rooney M, Ribery B, Olic B)
Lyon- Bordeaux 3-1 (Lopez L, Chamakh B, Bastos L, Lopez L)
I will get back to you on the 6 and the 7th of this month for all the exciting results of the Second leg. Who will pass the stage? too early to say? Its just a matter of time now. The days are coming close to the rush final and the world is waiting impatiently for the outcome.
Ladies and gentlemen, the quarterfinals have been decided! The draw taken place today in Switzerland saw defending champions Barcelona playing the gunners. Fabregas and his teammates might not have the experience and technique that Barca have but the talent definitely is not lacking within the Arsenal side. Two teams that play good football will be confronting one another already in the quarter finals.
Manchester United take over Ribery's Bayern Munich. Another interesting game. Will Robben's and Ribery's continuous attacks be enough to hold back the Wayne Rooney show? Inter have found Cska Mosca on their path. A relatively easier side but to note down that the Russian side have never lost a champions league fixture this season. If Inter pass the quarters they will eventually find the winners of Barcelona - Arsenal! What a cracker that would be!
Special thanks to: Rhea Singh
